KUCHING: Providing additional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test services in the city here will be looked into due to the increase of Covid-19 cases.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Kuching Division Health Office will plan to provide limited services for PCR swabs and issuance of quarantine orders at the Petra Jaya Health Clinic in view of the increasing cases in Kuching.
He said in just half a day last Sunday, as many as 956 swab tests have been taken at the Covid-19 One Stop Centre Kuching situated at the Kuching City South Council (MBKS), while a total of 758 quarantine orders with wristbands have been issued.
Dr Sim then said that with every 10,000 swabs taken, it would incur an estimated cost of RM1 million.
“It is the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) funding, but the Sarawak government helps with the shortfall as lives cannot wait for funding,” he said in a Facebook post last Sunday.
He also conveyed his appreciation to 20 federal and state agencies for coming together in this trying time.
“They often work beyond their job scopes, trying their very best under extremely challenging circumstances.
“Also grateful for the public’s understanding, cooperation and kindness towards overstretched and highly stressed frontliners,” said Dr Sim.